한국 포스트휴먼 SF의 인간 향상과 취약성

Abstract

“Vulnerability” means a fundamental weakness that can cause physical injury as part of human nature. Humans can be defined as ‘Homo Patiens’, who suffer and suffer from various physical, psychological, and social pains. Transhumanists, however, try to escape pain and finiteness through “human enhancement” technology. It also aims to “invulnerability” and win eternal life. They dream of a human being upgraded to God, Homo Deus. This paper analyzes representative Korean Science Fiction texts on this subject from the point of view of critical posthumanism. (1) The storyworld of I-hyoung Yoon’s “Full Voyage” is technologically advanced, but still aging and death cannot be prevented. As such, there is no absolute medical technique that is immortal or invulnerable. If protagonist Chang Yeon has pursued perfect life by constantly expanding and reinforcing her ability in search of “perfectibility” and lived the life of a transhumanist, Chang would, on the contrary, give up eternal life and choose a life open to wounds. Seek the meaning of life. In Yoon’s fictions, the painful or finite condition of man is the premise of freedom and the possibility of liberation. (2) Min-gyu Park's “Deep” deals with mankind's adventure to explore the deep sea in 2487. Jan is the epitome of transhumanists aiming at human “evolution” and rebirth into new species. Human desire to explore the “deeper” manifests itself as a transhuman progressive narrative. However, even when human labor is interrupted by science and technology, pain and mental vulnerability are not conquered, and many dippers who carry out tasks also experience frustration and anxiety. The novel turns into a narrative of (critical) posthumanism that is reflected at this point. Thedeep sea exploration of the dippers is likened to the subsidence of human beings. They experience a rebirth as a new human being, asking for the meaning of ‘human’ in a state of anxiety and anxiety. (3) Bo-young Kim’s “Excellent Gene” is set in the world where genetic engineering technology called ‘gene discriminator’ was introduced. The minority upper class lives in a city called ‘Skydome’, and the general public lives in ‘Kiba’ in a state of ‘low technology’. The Skydome are highly educated and unaware of the pain of the disease, while the Kiva have no medical benefits and are born disabled. However, Skydome people rely on their physical environment and medical systems because of their vulnerable bodies. The body is paradoxically to be protected from pain in the values that give material and body too much meaning. The novel reconsiders the meaning of the possibility of being injured by overturning the relationship between genetic superiority and inferiority. In conclusion, the posthuman vulnerability problem reminds Achilles’ allegory. Because eliminating vulnerabilities is not feasible. Removal of vulnerabilities, on the other hand, eliminates interdependence and ethical responsibility, and reducing emotional distress leads to less happiness. Happiness and accomplishment can have greater meaning in finite conditions. The desire to eliminate vulnerabilities can lead to problems of violence, aggression, and unilateral integration of vulnerable others and other societies and entities, and there is a risk of discrimination and prejudice.